Rivian Spinoff Also Aims to Reinvent the Wheel, But Shipping Comes First

Rivian's quiet spinoff of its micromobility brand, Also, raised eyebrows among industry watchers questioning whether the luxury EV maker was overextending. Chris Yu, the Stanford aeronautics PhD and former Specialized CTO who leads the startup, insists that's not the case. Also operates as an independent business with Rivian as a key backer, focused on rethinking urban transportation from the ground up. The company is developing lightweight electric vehicles designed for city life, where cars are often impractical. While details remain scarce, the emphasis is on innovation in both hardware and user experience. The challenge is real: the micromobility space is crowded, and shipping a product that meets high expectations is difficult. For now, the priority is delivering on the promise rather than just making headlines. If Also can execute, it could carve out a niche in the rapidly evolving market for small electric vehicles.